A3 vs A2 vs A1: Poster Sizes in cm and on Your Wall

A2 is bigger than A3, and A1 is bigger than A2. In portrait orientation, A3 measures 29.7 × 42 cm, A2 measures 42 × 59.4 cm, and A1 measures 59.4 × 84.1 cm. Each step up doubles the paper area—not the width. This guide compares poster sizes in centimetres and helps you check how they will fit on your wall.

Our Reading poster currently offers A3, A2 and A1 options. Sizes and finishes can vary across the range, so always check the product you are buying. This guide explains the paper sizes and a simple way to see what will work at home.

A3, A2 and A1 poster sizes in centimetres

A3 vs A2 vs A1: a visual size comparison

The rectangles below share a common scale, so you can compare the paper proportions. They are not displayed at life size and do not include frames.

Is A3 or A2 bigger?

A2 is twice the area of A3. Its sides are approximately 1.41 times as long: 42 cm rather than 29.7 cm wide, and 59.4 cm rather than 42 cm high in portrait orientation.

How much bigger is A1 than A3?

A1 is approximately twice as wide and twice as high as A3, giving it four times the area. It can feel considerably more substantial on a wall, even though the name changes by only two numbers.

For landscape orientation, swap the width and height. These are artwork dimensions, not necessarily the outside dimensions of a framed product. Check the exact listing before buying a frame or planning a tight fit.

Measure your wall before ordering a framed print

1. Measure the usable space. Include nearby shelves, switches, doors and anything else that limits the area.
2. Make a paper template. Use scrap paper to mark out the print size. Allow additional space for the frame, using the product's outside dimensions where provided.
3. Position it safely. If you attach a template to the wall, use a method suitable for the surface and test it somewhere inconspicuous first.
4. Step back. View it from the doorway and wherever you normally sit. A size that looks generous close up can feel much smaller across a room.
5. Try a second size. Compare before ordering rather than relying on the apparent scale of an online mockup.

How big will a poster look above furniture?

Paper dimensions alone cannot answer that: the furniture width, frame and viewing distance all matter. For worked examples above a sofa, bed or fireplace, read our wall art placement guide. Use room mockups for styling inspiration, not as proof of exact scale.

Choosing wall art for a kitchen or sideboard

Above a sideboard, place your template with lamps, plants and other objects in position. A print needs enough clear space to be seen rather than hidden behind them. In a kitchen, choose a position away from splashes, steam and direct heat, and follow the care guidance for the finish you select.

If one larger print overwhelms a small space, try an A3 or a modest grouping. Matching frame colours can help photographs and illustrated posters feel connected without requiring every image to have the same orientation.

Artwork size is not the same as frame size

A frame adds to the outside measurements. A mount, where included, also changes the relationship between the image and the finished frame. Do not assume two products labelled A2 will occupy exactly the same wall area.

Our founder's Tilehurst sample is a 60 × 90 cm print, which is not A1. It is an earlier sample, not a promise that this size is available on every current product. Use the dimensions on the actual product page as your reference.

Will my photograph look clear at A1?

That depends on the source file and crop. Enlarging a low-resolution photograph does not restore missing detail, and a heavy crop leaves fewer pixels for printing. Check the personaliser's preview and any image-quality warnings before selecting a large photo print.

Ready to choose? Browse our ready-made wall art, see the options on our Reading poster, or create a personalised print. Measure first, then choose the size that suits your wall—not simply the largest one available.